Officials Move to Repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”

In an effort to change the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, Congress is set to vote as early as this week on a proposal to repeal the rule barring gays from serving openly in the military, before the Pentagon completes its review of how to implement the policy and its effect.

The Obama administration has continued to back the plan, despite serious concerns about doing so voiced by the Chiefs of the service branches. Those opposing the repeal of the policy include: Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Gary Roughead, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. The letter co-signed by each of these Chiefs cited concerns about the repeal’s effectiveness, implementation, and readiness of the military as a whole to function with openly gay service members. The rush to repeal a policy that, “works,” as Gen. Conway stated, is dangerous for the cohesion and morale of our fighting forces.